Governing Rules
All games will follow NFHS Softball Rules with CFT-specific modifications outlined below.
18U: Born on or after September 1, 2005 (Must be a 2025 graduate or younger for AFCS National Qualifying Events)
16U: Born on or after September 1, 2007
14U: Born on or after September 1, 2009
12U: Born on or after September 1, 2011
10U: Born on or after September 1, 2013
Rosters must include first name, last name, and date of birth for each player.
Rosters must be submitted before the team’s first game.
Online roster submission through a fillable form is REQUIRED the link will be provided on the page of each qualifier & each qualifier requires a separate roster submission.
Penalty: Any player caught playing in an ineligible age group will cause forfeiture of the current game. The player may still participate in future games if the team is not eliminated.
Teams will be given a reasonable window to provide proof of age. Games under protest may have results modified upon proof submission.
College players are NOT permitted. Any player listed on a college roster & your roster will result in immediate team disqualification from the entire event as this is a SAFETY issue.
PROTESTS
All protests require a $100 cash deposit, submitted directly to the UIC (Umpire-in-Chief).
If the protest is upheld, the $100 will be fully refunded.
If the protest is denied, the deposit is non-refundable.
All protests must be submitted before the completion of the game. A game is considered complete once the umpires leave the playing field. Umpires are trained to immediately leave the field, we highly encourage if you would like to protest to not wait until the game has been completed.
For age protests, birth certificates will be required physical or digital (pictures) will be accepted. A current student ID can be provided if a protest is that a player is in college. If you are protesting age & college that is two separate protests & each one will require a $100 deposit.
Acceptable Documentation (Any of the following 8 forms; physical or digital are accepted):
Birth Certificate (digital or physical copy)
Passport (U.S. or foreign)
State-Issued Identification Card
Driver’s Permit or License (typically 15U+)
Military Dependent ID Card
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
Tribal Identification Card (issued by a federally recognized tribe)
School Records (must clearly show full name and date of birth)
For college eligibility protests: A current student ID or proof of active college enrollment must be provided.
Note: If you are protesting both age and college status, each protest requires its own $100 deposit.
Games will continue under protest until a ruling is made by the UIC or Tournament Director.
Insurance & Background Check Requirements
To maintain a safe and compliant environment for all participants, all teams competing in CFT events must meet the following requirements:
Background Checks:
Every coach, volunteer, paid staff member, or individual with access to minors must undergo a criminal background check.
Any individual with a conviction may not have any contact with the team or organization.
It is the responsibility of each team to enforce and monitor this compliance.
Insurance Requirements:
Each team must carry an active insurance policy that includes Sexual Abuse and Molestation (SAM) coverage, with a minimum of $1 million per occurrence.
Safesport Certification (Strongly Encouraged):
CFT strongly encourages all organizations to have their coaches, volunteers, and staff complete Safesport certification.
The certification link can be found under the “Staff Links” section in the website menu.
Facility Rules (City Enforced)
No pets allowed inside any park.
No outside food or drinks are permitted.
Each team may bring one water cooler with drinks only.
These rules are enforced by the host city or facility, and CFT cannot override them.
Liability Disclaimer
California Fastpitch Tourneys (CFT), Tournament Directors and Officials, and the City of Stockton, City of Lodi, City of Manteca, San Joaquin County, McNair High School, and Arnaiz Stadium assume no responsibility for injuries, losses, or damages resulting from tournament participation.
All teams must carry their own insurance policies.
Admission Pricing
Central Valley Locations (Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, McNair HS, Arnaiz Stadium):
$8.00 per person
$6.00 for seniors and military
Children under 6 enter free
Bay Area Locations (Arcadia Sports Complex, Alden Oliver Complex):
$10.00 per person
$8.00 for seniors and military
Children under 6 enter free
To ensure fairness and efficient tournament planning, the following policy applies to all teams who pencil into any California Fastpitch Tourneys (CFT) event:
Pencil-In Commitment Fee
Any team that pencils into an event and later backs out (withdraws without payment) will be charged a $100 administrative fee.
This fee is required before the team may register for any future events.
Repeat Offender Policy
If a team backs out of 3 or more events in a single season (Spring, Summer, or Fall), they will be required to pay the full entry fee upfront for any future events in that season.
Season Definitions:
Spring: January 1st – Memorial Day Weekend
Summer: Memorial Day Weekend – August 31st
Fall: September 1st – December 31st
This policy helps us maintain event integrity and fairness for all participants. We appreciate your cooperation.
Free Entries, &
Full Tournament Cancellation
If an entire tournament is cancelled due to rain or an unforeseen event, your entry fee will be credited toward another CFT event.
Refunds may be issued at the discretion of the Tournament Director, minus 50% for incurred costs.
Withdrawal After Scheduling Begins
If a team withdraws after the schedule has been started (typically 10 days prior to the event), or once posted online, entry fees are non-refundable.
Rain Out or Stoppage Mid-Event
If the tournament begins and is stopped, 50% of the paid entry may be refunded or credited.
The remaining 50% is non-refundable due to incurred costs.
This non-refundable amount may increase at the discretion of the Tournament Director depending on total expenses.
Partial Event Completion
If games were played before cancellation, teams will be credited based on the number of completed games.
Any remaining refund will be issued by check.
Overcapacity Refund
If a team is accepted and paid but cannot be placed into the event, they will receive a full refund or may apply the amount to another tournament in the same calendar year.
Free Entry Policy
Free entries cannot be used for qualifiers.
Thank You,
Shannon Dubois
(209) 639-2079
tourneys@CaliforniaFastpitchTourneys.com